1981 Lotus Eclat 2.2
Discussion
If I reduce the fleet to modern Royal Navy size (ie: my Rover SD1 and no others), then, yes.
Otherwise:-
Lord Finchley tried to mend the Electric Light
Himself. It struck him dead: And serve him right!
It is the business of the wealthy man
To give employment to the artisan.
Hilaire Belloc
(I am not wealthy, but you get the drift)
Otherwise:-
Lord Finchley tried to mend the Electric Light
Himself. It struck him dead: And serve him right!
It is the business of the wealthy man
To give employment to the artisan.
Hilaire Belloc
(I am not wealthy, but you get the drift)
In Naval terms, current fleet -
Battlecruiser and Fleet Flagship - Rover SD1 2600 SE
Heavy Cruiser - Jaguar XJS (in dry dock for endless refit)
Light Cruiser - Lotus Eclat 2.2
Destroyers - Triumph Dolomite Sprint and Lancia Beta 1600 Coupe
Frigate - Moto Morini 350S
Corvette - Yamaha RD125 DX
Tug/Auxiliary/Amphibious Assault Vessel - UMM 4x4 Alter II
Troop Carriers/Auxiliaries - Morris Sherpa Autosleeper and Ford Granada Ghia X Estate
Battlecruiser and Fleet Flagship - Rover SD1 2600 SE
Heavy Cruiser - Jaguar XJS (in dry dock for endless refit)
Light Cruiser - Lotus Eclat 2.2
Destroyers - Triumph Dolomite Sprint and Lancia Beta 1600 Coupe
Frigate - Moto Morini 350S
Corvette - Yamaha RD125 DX
Tug/Auxiliary/Amphibious Assault Vessel - UMM 4x4 Alter II
Troop Carriers/Auxiliaries - Morris Sherpa Autosleeper and Ford Granada Ghia X Estate
Mech reports :-
"Black Lotus - Very nice! Got battery in it from Dolly boot. Started up fine after coolant & deionised water added (3.5L total). Ran up to full temp, let coolant bleed air out. Sound defo like fuel setup needed & carb filters need checking etc. Can do next visit. Checked indicators.
> Hazards do work so it's probably a relay or wiring/switch issue, again can carry on next week, and also with pop up lights. Headlamps work so again probably a wiring issue."
"Black Lotus - Very nice! Got battery in it from Dolly boot. Started up fine after coolant & deionised water added (3.5L total). Ran up to full temp, let coolant bleed air out. Sound defo like fuel setup needed & carb filters need checking etc. Can do next visit. Checked indicators.
> Hazards do work so it's probably a relay or wiring/switch issue, again can carry on next week, and also with pop up lights. Headlamps work so again probably a wiring issue."
Mechanic reports -
Tightened battery terminals as lights working fine now.
Adjusted NSF light beam to allow for slightly low light pod.
Checked coolant level & electric fan operation, all working, no apparent leaks.
Checked Timing - runs bang on 10ºBTDC to spec.
Carb float covers removed & filters checked, spotless inside, no dirt.
Checked carb balancing, found back carb to be way out so only front two cylinders firing at idle speed. Idle way too high & fluctuating. Started from scratch & balanced carbs. Reset idle speed & adjusted mixture to give lean best idle. Engine sounds much better now, drove in reverse to gate then back in 1st gear to test response, feels very smooth now.
Tightened battery terminals as lights working fine now.
Adjusted NSF light beam to allow for slightly low light pod.
Checked coolant level & electric fan operation, all working, no apparent leaks.
Checked Timing - runs bang on 10ºBTDC to spec.
Carb float covers removed & filters checked, spotless inside, no dirt.
Checked carb balancing, found back carb to be way out so only front two cylinders firing at idle speed. Idle way too high & fluctuating. Started from scratch & balanced carbs. Reset idle speed & adjusted mixture to give lean best idle. Engine sounds much better now, drove in reverse to gate then back in 1st gear to test response, feels very smooth now.
Latest mech report -
Ran engine up to normal temp. Found small leak spraying coolant from header tank smallest hose. Shortened hose to remove splt.
Ran engine up again & left for 1/2 hour, with fuel pressure gauge to measure. Heard loud ticking noise occasionally from boot, further investigation found fuel starvation at electric pump in boot. One flexible mount had broken, found position of pump & filter seemed to be causing the problem. re-mounted pump in another pos. and things seemed better. However, I think the tank banjo & outlet pipe needs checking for any blockage & if a tank filter is fitted, as I'm not happy that pump was struggling at all. With its position being below the tank it seems strange the filter's only getting a trickle of fuel.
Ran engine up to normal temp. Found small leak spraying coolant from header tank smallest hose. Shortened hose to remove splt.
Ran engine up again & left for 1/2 hour, with fuel pressure gauge to measure. Heard loud ticking noise occasionally from boot, further investigation found fuel starvation at electric pump in boot. One flexible mount had broken, found position of pump & filter seemed to be causing the problem. re-mounted pump in another pos. and things seemed better. However, I think the tank banjo & outlet pipe needs checking for any blockage & if a tank filter is fitted, as I'm not happy that pump was struggling at all. With its position being below the tank it seems strange the filter's only getting a trickle of fuel.
- Work remaining:* Fuel tank exit piping removal to check no blockages.
Mech reports -
Just to say managed to drain Lotus tank in situ using pump. Although fuel drained well, the banjo outlet on the tank was clogged with rust:
Result!
Have replaced inline filter and a bit of fuel hose & clips. Also fitted replacement pump rubber mount. Just about to refill tank.
Car should run fine now for a while. Thinking a coarse mesh filter should be fitted at end of banjo as per your Lotus manual mentions (was an 80’s mod to replace finemesh type). No filter at the mo so dirt likely to build up again as it moves around the tank.
Just to say managed to drain Lotus tank in situ using pump. Although fuel drained well, the banjo outlet on the tank was clogged with rust:
Result!
Have replaced inline filter and a bit of fuel hose & clips. Also fitted replacement pump rubber mount. Just about to refill tank.
Car should run fine now for a while. Thinking a coarse mesh filter should be fitted at end of banjo as per your Lotus manual mentions (was an 80’s mod to replace finemesh type). No filter at the mo so dirt likely to build up again as it moves around the tank.
After all that faff the car is now running rather well, and I did a few local trips and then filled up with V Power and took the heap from Oxfordshire to London this morning, driving through heavy ish traffic . All good, and the car is now parked near my London pad. Oil pressure and volts fine, and the temperature needle never went past the middle of the dial. The fan fail light flashed twice, but the fans are both working. Even the horrid radio (which creates an unwanted HUD on the screen) and the rear demister are now working. Nearside tyres still losing air but I do the pumpy uppy. The heater works but is a bit crap so I wore two pairs of socks (it was 6AM). I also wore my so naff it's cool but actually naff 1977 Team Lotus pit lane jacket, that is black with gold stripes. I was wearing it in inverted commas but had an irony fail because my watch is not mahoosive enough. I did however add some very groovy driving gloves that were a present from some blonde from my sordid past, to add to the d
head style. Also TINY shoes, because pedals.
Next trip: Norfolk at the weekend, where all old Lotuses go (before they die?). I shall pass within a few miles of Hethel.
head style. Also TINY shoes, because pedals.Next trip: Norfolk at the weekend, where all old Lotuses go (before they die?). I shall pass within a few miles of Hethel.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 9th November 07:27
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